Evaluation of morbidity and recurrence in bilateral repair of inguinal hernias

ABSTRACT

A prospective study of bilateral repair of 100 cases of inguinal hernia was carried out from January, 1996 to January 1998 at Liaquat Medical College Hospital [LMCH], Hyderabad. Age of presentation was between 16 years to 70 years, with mean age 43 years. Common presentation was swelling in groin and dragging pain during walking. Forty percent of patients had -indirect inguinal hernias, 45 percent had direct and 10 percent of cases had direct hernia on one side and indirect on other side. In most of the cases repair was done with Bassini's technique. In 20 percent of cases suprapubic skin crease incision was made and in 80% of cases two separate incisions were made. Hospital stay was between 2 to 14 days with average of 5 days. Post-operative complications were haematoma 8 percent, penile oedema 6 percent, wound sepsis 4 percent, Hydrocele 6 percent and recurrence rate in 4 percent of cases. Mortality was 0%. This study shows little difference in morbidity and recurrence in bilateral repair as compared to stage one side repair in bilateral inguinal hernias